Magnolia Workshop

Magnolia Workshop Inspiration & support for women who need a nudge toward their greatness. Co-author of MOMS MEAN BUSI

Magnolia Workshop is a place and a way for motivated women to explore what's possible. I believe we all have the ability to make an impact on our world and I work with women who are ready to do just that. By working together and supporting each other, women can transform the world.

01/26/2018

Today I had my last client coaching call. I have loved this job. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with women as they struggled and grew and thrived. It has also been the perfect career for me as a mom.

Through this work, I met so many cool, strong, smart, and powerful women. I also had a book published which had been a goal of mine for years.

Now, I move on to another goal of getting an advanced degree and working in the education world. I know the skills I have gained through coaching will serve me well in life as well as in my future work as a teacher.

I move forward with gratitude, excitement and hope.

09/25/2017

I haven't posted in ages! Thought it would be fun to do a fill in the blank.

I feel most alive when I'm ...

Would love to hear your response.

03/13/2017

"...sometimes when you are lost for direction, you are open to a new way of seeing."

--Lauren Lola

I often have people tell me that they want to change some aspect of their life but they are completely unsure of how to go about it.
That's a tough one, right? You feel stuck. You're scared of giving up what you know. And, what if you try something that doesn't work out?

When I have clients who are trying really hard to find a solution or make a choice, I actually ask them to take a break from needing to know. It seems counter intuitive, but more often than not, taking a step away from the issue will get you the answer you're looking for sooner and with much more ease. In fact, a new possibility will often appear or a change of perspective will make things more clear.

If you happen to be in this spot right now, step away from the struggle for a few days. Give yourself a little vacation from needing to know. And, trust that you will eventually find your answer-just not right this second.

If you don't get clarity, you can always go back to the worry and the struggle. For now, take a break. Do something you enjoy. Spend time with people you love. Live today and trust in tomorrow.

02/27/2017

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."

--Amelia Earhart

I know, I know. You just can't right now. You can't quit your job. You can't move to a tropical island. You can't write. You can't create. You can't take up guitar. You can't start a business. I get it. Truly!

But, for one moment, how about if you focus on what you can do? You can decide where you would ideally live. You can dream up your perfect job (even if it doesn't exist). You can imagine that you have a booming business. Or a fit body. Or the financial means to travel more.

And, after that, you can take one teeny tiny step toward what you want. We aren't talking a leap, we're talking a baby step. And, that, oddly enough, is how dreams eventually come true.

02/21/2017

"The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are." --Mother Teresa

I've had it happen to me over and over and I've seen it with my clients as well. Take some time to clear out clutter and you just might be surprised by what shows up.

One client cleaned out her garage and some well-paying work she'd been hoping for suddenly arrived. A friend went through her closet and was rewarded with an unexpected gift card to her favorite clothing store. And, it seems like every time I take the time to go through my files, I am rewarded with a fun assignment or a great new client.

Sometimes the aftereffects aren't as exciting, of course, but even if the only reward is less clutter, isn't that pretty great? This week, schedule an hour or two to show that clutter who is boss. You never know what else could come your way as a result.

02/12/2017

"Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending..." --Carl Bard

This lesson has shown up quite frequently in my life. I've heard it in the stories of clients and friends. And I've seen it in action in the lives of loved ones. Each moment is a chance to make decisions toward the ending you eventually want. And, if you decide you want something different down the road, you can make different choices then.

In day to day life, it's so easy to forget that we actually have a significant amount of control over how things go. We do what we have to do for the day, hopefully throw in some fun, and then go to bed so we can do it all again tomorrow. We also tell ourselves stories about the person we are (or aren't) and assume that's the way it will always be.

This week, consider the possibilities. Question the assumptions. And, make choices that will get you closer to the ending you dream of for yourself.

02/08/2017

"Anything you do from the soulful self will help lighten the burdens of the world. Anything. You have no idea what the smallest word, the tiniest generosity, can cause to be set in motion...Mend the part of the world that is within your reach."

--Clarissa Pinkola Estés

In this crazy world, life can feel out of our control. This is probably why I tend to smile at strangers, hold doors open for the person behind me, and even chat with people in lines and elevators.

I'm sure there are those who think I'm odd (speaking to strangers? who does that?) but I'll take that chance if others find the interaction to be uplifting in the slightest. Sometimes these small acts are the only way I can make a difference in the world. And, in my opinion, any small difference I make is worth the effort.

What small difference could you make today?

01/29/2017

We could never learn to be patient and brave
if there were only joy in the world.--Helen Keller


I'm working on my patience and bravery lately. In fact, my life right now is full of opportunities to practice these two traits. And, while I may rant and rave about circumstances that are outside of my control, I have lived long enough to know that most things have a way of eventually working themselves out. I also know that, in the end, I will likely be better (in one way or another) on the other side.

If you are also struggling with something right now, keep Helen Keller's wise words in mind. Sometimes we need to be prodded toward our best selves with a touch (or a heaping amount) of adversity. This just might be one of those times.

01/17/2017

Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded.

--Buddha


When my clients tell me the types of things they silently say to themselves, I'm rarely shocked since I've been dealing with my own negative nag thoughts for as long as I can remember. Luckily for me, I'm getting pretty darned good at turning them off and luckily for you, you can do the same.

The first step: Notice them. Often they are annoying background noise that we let play with free rein throughout our days. (Hint: They get louder when we are about to do something that takes us away from our status quo or that might move us forward in a big way.)

The second step: Once you hear those less-than-helpful thoughts creeping in, decide how you will silence them. You can tell them to knock it off, you can visualize something that proves them wrong, or you can replace them with words of encouragement and kindness.

Experiment with what works best for you and before long, you'll be better able to silence those pesky-at-best, damaging-at-worst thoughts. That way, you can get begin to explore the delightful possibilities that are available when you have more space in that head of yours to hear them.

11/13/2016

"The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be."
--Leonard Cohen


Sending out peace and love to all of you.

10/12/2016

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
--George Bernard Shaw


Oh, how I love this bit of wisdom. I love the freedom in it. I love the possibilities. And, I even love the responsibility.

This is why I pick up trash when I see it. This is why I hold the door for people. This is why I smile at strangers even though some of the recipients look at me as though I'm a total oddball.

It's why I read every chance I get. And, laugh every day. And, embrace the fact that I cry more than my fair share.

And, probably more importantly, it's why I'm OK when I make mistakes. I recover when I fail. I try to do better. I try to be better.

If George Bernard Shaw had it right, every day is a new chance to decide what we want to create.

10/10/2016

"So many dreams at first seem impossible. And then they seem improbable. And then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

--Christopher Reeve


What stage is your dream in? What's the next step? What's stopping you from getting started?

And if you haven't yet decided on a dream or two, now is a great time to do that. After all, it's much easier to get where you are going if you have a general idea of where that is.

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Seattle, WA
98112

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